Saudi Arabia reopens Riyadh airport terminals as Houthi attacks continue
By Shahnoor Saqib — SCN NEWS
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia resumed domestic and international flights at two terminals of Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on Sunday, more than two weeks after a deadly Houthi missile attack forced the suspension of operations, even as Saudi air defences intercepted another wave of missiles and drones launched from Yemen.
The reopening marked an important step towards restoring air services to the Saudi capital, but renewed threats from Yemen's Houthi movement raised immediate concerns about the safety of civilian aviation. Saudi military authorities reported multiple interceptions over Riyadh and southern parts of the kingdom, underscoring the continuing security risks facing airports and other infrastructure.
Airport authorities designated Terminal 1 for domestic flights and Terminal 2 for international services operated by national carriers. The announcement followed a period of severe disruption after attacks on the airport earlier in October. The resumption was limited to the designated terminals and did not amount to confirmation that all airport facilities or international airline operations had returned to normal.
The Saudi-led coalition said its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile and a drone directed towards Riyadh early Sunday. Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki also reported the interception of a cruise missile targeting Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Later, the coalition announced that its forces had intercepted 10 additional ballistic missiles launched towards southern Saudi Arabia. Civil defence authorities issued emergency warnings in Riyadh, Abha and Khamis Mushait before announcing that the immediate danger had passed.
The attacks came as airport authorities attempted to restore passenger services following the October 10 strike that brought operations to a halt. Reuters reported that the earlier attack, claimed by the Houthis, killed 13 people and wounded more than 300. The incident caused widespread disruption to commercial aviation and prompted an extended suspension of airport operations.
Despite Sunday's reopening, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree renewed warnings against using King Khalid International Airport. He described the facility as a military target and threatened further operations, urging airlines, airport employees and passengers to avoid the airport.
The Houthi statement represented a direct challenge to Saudi efforts to restore normal aviation services. Saudi authorities did not announce a fresh suspension in response to the warning, although the threat highlighted the uncertainty facing airlines and travellers as flights resumed.
The Houthis have intensified missile and drone attacks against Saudi aviation facilities, ports and energy infrastructure during the renewed fighting. The movement says its operations are linked to Saudi military involvement in Yemen, where Riyadh supports forces aligned with the internationally recognised government.
Saudi Arabia has expanded military operations against the Houthis following renewed fighting along Yemen's Red Sea coast. Saudi-backed government forces are seeking to reverse Houthi territorial gains near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic waterway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
The strait is one of the world's important maritime trade routes, carrying commercial shipping between Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Military activity near the waterway has increased concerns about the security of regional shipping and the potential economic consequences of a wider conflict.
The renewed confrontation has undermined the relative reduction in large-scale fighting that followed a United Nations-brokered truce in 2022. Saudi Arabia entered Yemen's civil war in 2015 as the leader of a coalition supporting the internationally recognised government after the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa.
The latest escalation has also placed Saudi Arabia under increasing pressure as fighting across the Middle East affects regional security. Missile interceptions over major cities and threats against aviation facilities have raised concerns about the protection of civilian infrastructure during military operations.
King Khalid International Airport is a major transport gateway serving the Saudi capital. Its reopening is significant for passenger travel and commercial connections, particularly after repeated disruptions forced airlines to reconsider schedules and operating arrangements.
However, the restoration of two terminals does not remove the risks associated with continued missile launches and air defence operations. Civilian aircraft can face hazards from direct attacks, interception debris and temporary restrictions imposed by aviation authorities responding to security threats.
The competing developments on Sunday illustrated the difficulty of restoring essential services while military hostilities continue. Saudi authorities moved to reopen the airport and maintain air connections, while the Houthis repeated threats against the facility and Saudi forces reported additional interceptions.
For passengers and airlines, the immediate issue remains whether the limited reopening can be sustained under continuing security pressure. Saudi authorities have not announced a complete restoration of all airport operations, and the situation remains dependent on further security assessments as the confrontation with the Houthis continues.